October 29, 2008

Stroger: no new taxes in budget plan

Months after convincing commissioners to approve a one-penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger said Wednesday that the spending plan he will introduce next month won't include tax or fee hikes.

"No, it will not include any new revenue sources," Stroger said after a luncheon speech at the City Club of Chicago.

"We will be able to keep our services at the level they are at," he added. "We will be able to make some changes in technology that will make us more efficient and help us reduce the workforce in the future."

Stroger later said the county would not scale back the sales tax hike because of the economy's woes. "We are still going to feel the effects of the economy, so, to scale back at this time would be foolhardy," he said.

Stroger has taken a lot of political flak for seeking the sales-tax increase, leaving Chicago with the highest sales tax of all major U.S. cities at 10.25 percent.

In his speech, Stroger fired back at his critics, saying later that "if there were more truth in politics, then people would look at us in a different fashion."

The sales tax increase, which was expected to raise more than $400 million in its first full year before the economy slumped, was a "hard choice" but necessary, Stroger said.

"We did what we felt we had to do to generate the funds needed to protect vital services that Cook County provides," he said.

In advance of a likely 2010 re-election effort, Stroger added, "It seems like some outspoken county commissioners have set their signs on an endless campaign to undermine the administration’s efforts."

Comments

Does Stroger really think he is doing the citizens a favor by not raising taxes or fees as part of his next budget?

It is unbelievable how the citizens of this great city and county vote for individuals such as Stroger who have gotten to their positions merely due to legacy politics. He then goes on to act fiscally irresponsible by just increasing taxes without considering maybe his administration should become more efficient and reduce spending, just like every other company in this country has to do when it struggles.

Other than every day groceries, I make every attempt to make purchases when I am outside of Cook County to avoid the higher sales tax.

He's starting his re-election campaign already. Let's see how forgetful the voters of Cook County are about how much he's picking their pockets. There needs to be a clean sweep of these democrats out of city and county governments.

Stroger is not trustworthy. Last year it was "oh my god, oh my god, we are in a financial crisis". If there is a time of financial crisis, it is now. But suddenly, the county can manage...unbelievable!

SO now Stroger and his minions want to blame the media for their perception problems. Maybe, the criticisms levied by the media are warrented. Afterall, Stroger raises taxes, cuts services, and gives his friends and family six figure salaries. Stroger claims to be an advocate for the poor, but his sales tax hits the poor the hardest. Stroger's administration deserves all the criticism and more than earned it.

Yea. I beleive this. Just like when Daley says no new RE taxes and somehow our taxes go up 20%. Then he gets the stupid look on his face... the hair begins to fly ... and he says. "well,, its the system!"

All 50 aldermen on the Chicago City Council had to file paperwork earlier this year detailing their outside income and gifts. The Tribune took that ethics paperwork and posted the information here for you to see. You can search by ward number or alderman's last name.

The Cook County Assessor's office has put together lists of projected median property tax bills for all suburban towns and city neighborhoods. We've posted them for you to get a look at who's paying more and who's paying less.

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